Marriott International News

The journey of the largest hotel chain in the world, Marriott International, Inc. – now with more than seven thousand hotel, residential, and timeshare properties – began with a root-beer stand in Washington, D.C. in 1927 started by J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott. Following its $13.3 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016, it became the largest global hotel company. It currently commands a mammoth portfolio of more than two dozen hotel brands such as JW Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, Delta Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club, Le Méridien, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Courtyard, Fairfield, and W Hotels. Its properties contain nearly a million and a half rooms worldwide. Through its premier loyalty program Bonvoy, it is engaged in partnerships with the likes of United Airlines, Uber, American Express, Hertz, and others to optimize customer engagement.

Hotels

Expedia Is Now Helping Marriott Sell Hotels on the Chain’s Website

When it comes to relationships, hotel chains and online travel agencies have a lot of baggage but Marriott and Expedia, at least, are being open-minded and are taking advantage of each other. Expedia is becoming a technology provider for hotels in a move that has parallels with the way rival Booking.com's BookingSuite division is providing market intelligence and website services for properties. Where this all ends up is anyone's guess.

Dennis Schaal | 10 years ago

Tourism

Cuba’s Hotel Challenges: A Guide to All the Projects in Process

Although Cuba won't say it, the country is ill-prepared for the influx of new visitors and the necessary development.

Claire Boobbyer | 10 years ago

Hotels

How Smart Hotels Use Messaging to Connect With Guests

Hotels are finally beginning to implement messaging strategies that make it easier for their guests to get in touch with them via SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, and the like. But how are they doing that, and what's next in messaging?

Deanna Ting | 10 years ago

Online Travel

Expedia and Red Lion Hotels Hit Reset on Loyalty and Direct Booking

Red Lion Hotels is obviously a much smaller chain than a Hilton Worldwide or Marriott International. Still, Red Lion's deal to offer its member-only rates on Expedia.com and Hotels.com represents the start of some shifting in the direct-booking landscape. Expedia is a powerful force in hotel distribution and there will be more of these changes to come.

Dennis Schaal | 10 years ago

Hotels

Marriott and Starwood Say Their Deal Is Taking Longer Than They Hoped

Recent reports alleging that Marriott has "buyer's remorse" about the deal, while scintillating, don't seem very logical when you think of all the effort both Marriott and Starwood have put into making this deal a reality.

Deanna Ting | 10 years ago

Podcasts

Skift Podcast: Why Business Owners Struggle to Take Time Off

Taking time off can be a business investment with proven results, such as increased creativity and productivity — so why do so many Americans struggle to take the vacation they’ve earned?

Marriott Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card + Skift | 10 years ago

Corporate Travel Is Bracing for the Impact of the Marriott-Starwood Merger

It could still be several weeks before the Marriott-Starwood deal is wrapped up — and much longer before the two companies are integrated — but travel buyers and travel management companies are wise to start preparing now for eventual negotiations with the bulked-up company.

Hannah Sampson | 10 years ago

Hotels

Big Hotel Chains Ditch Full-Service Properties in Favor of the Light-Touch Approach

The growth of select-service brands from the major hotel companies isn't slowing down at all, and for good reason: They're easier to finance, build, and there's a clear demand for them. In short, it's a clear sign that hotels are learning to listen to what customers really want, as well as adapt to the new on-demand economy.

Deanna Ting | 10 years ago

Airlines

New Loyalty Program Rankings Reveal a Growing Points Divide for Travel Brands

U.S. News & World Report's rankings have always skewed more toward leisure travelers than road warriors, but this year's lists show a growing difference between brands that choose to appeal to the majority of consumers versus those who choose to reward frequent business travelers or big spenders.

Deanna Ting | 10 years ago

Hotels

Data Breach Impacts 20 Properties From Major Hotel Chains

Again, we have to ask: Why aren't hotels doing more to prevent these kinds of credit card data breaches, and why does it take operators so long to inform their customers?

Deanna Ting | 10 years ago